Breaking down the Cavs' roster
Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series looking back, and ahead, at the Cavaliers. Part I: Questions abound as process continues.
A player-play-play look at the status of the Cavaliers:
Omri Casspi, 6-9, SF, 23-years old
Notes: Never became the starting-caliber small forward Cavs had hoped they landed in J.J. Hickson trade. … In fact, he was moved to a reserve role. … Was accused by coach Byron Scott of still not knowing the offense late in the season. … Plays hard, but struggles to finish near the rim. … Seemed to lack confidence most of year. … Averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds, playing in 65 of 66 games.
Contract status: Expires at end of next season.
Roster status: Cavs likely to give him one more season. But expiring deal makes him a trade possibility, too.
Semih Erden, 7-0, C, 25
Notes: He’s a 7-footer. That makes him valuable. … Too often played timid, and despite his height, too often hard to tell if he was even on the floor. … Good passer with a decent touch, really good in the times he’s aggressive. … Doesn’t need to be an All-Star, but he does need to get improve in every facet if he hopes to stick in this league. … Averaged 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Contract status: Restricted free agent.
Roster status: His height has other teams eyeing him on the free agent market. Question really is whether Cavs will bother to match another offer.
Alonzo Gee, 6-6, SF, 24
Notes: Gained starting role after Casspi faltered, but was at his best coming off bench at start of season. … Ultra-athletic, the one guy on Cavs whose dunks garnered attention on the highlight shows. … Still fairly inconsistent, seemingly saving his best defense against some of the league’s biggest stars. … Cavs would probably prefer to have him come off bench again. … Averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 63 games.
Contract status: Restricted free agent.
Roster status: Likely to return, but much will depend on what happens in the draft. Cavs won’t overpay, but they could certainly use him.
Daniel Gibson, 6-2, SG, 26
Notes: Injuries limited him to 35 games. That includes season-ending tendon surgery on his left foot. … Perimeter hooting specialist who struggled to hit perimeter shots (35 percent). … On the brighter side, shot close to 40 percent on 3-pointers. … Best defensive player in backcourt. But probably not a valuable enough defender to fail to knock down jumpers. … Averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 assists.
Roster status: Expires at end of next season. Team has option this summer.
Comment: Cavs are relying on Gibson to score more off the bench, as Byron Scott gives him green light. They like Gibson, but he may have run out of chances.
Luke Harangody, 6-7, F, 24
Notes: Apparently, the D-League did him good, as he played his best ball after his second stint in Canton. … Weak defender and average ball-handler with a funky outside shot. … Hustles his buns off. … Lacks all-around NBA skills, and not really a small or power forward. … Still time for him to develop into a decent guy off the bench. … Averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds.
Contract status: Restricted free agent.
Roster status: Hard to envision him bringing brought back, but we’ll know more after the draft and summer league.
Manny Harris, 6-5, SG, 22
Notes: Most fans expected him to be finished as a Cavalier after a strange accident that resulted in a burn to his foot during the lockout. … Later, he was let go from a 10-day contract. … Finally, returned for season when things were at their most dire, gaining a few token starts. … Fades back on his shot and is just a so-so ball-handler. … Like so many young players on this team, all we can go on is a few bright moments. … Averaged 6.7 points on 40 percent shooting.
Contract status: Non-guaranteed, expires at end of next season.
Roster status: May have earned a spot with his solid finish. But Cavs are hardly clinging to him.
Kyrie Irving, 6-3, PG, 20
Notes: Best player on team, best rookie in league. … No. 1 overall draft pick who was even better than most people expected. … Very shifty on perimeter and crafty near the rim. … Possesses great change of speed and reliable outside shot. … Underrated passer who doesn’t rack up huge assist numbers, but finds open teammates. … Has a style all his own, but comparable to a young Steve Nash. … Byron Scott will keep pushing him to get better on defense. … Averaged a team-high 18.5 points and 5.4 assists.
Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.
Roster status: The new face of the franchise and biggest reason for hope. Not going anywhere anytime soon.
Antawn Jamison, 6-9, PF, 35
Notes: Took a lot of shots, but mostly because he had to, as the Cavs needed his scoring. … Like many older players, most of his points came from the perimeter, but could still sneak one in underneath. … Uses instincts, as opposed to boxing out, for rebounding. It only worked sometimes. … Not an awful defender, but older legs definitely caused issues against one of league’s strongest positions. … Not to harp on his weaknesses, but probably had his worst season passing-wise. … Averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Contract status: Expired.
Roster status: Says his time as a Cav has reached an end. We’ll see how true that is during free agency, but both parties likely to move on. Class act no matter where he goes.
D.J. Kennedy, 6-5, G/F, 22
Notes: Way too early to tell on his ability, as he played just two games. Looked halfway decent in both. … But let’s be honest, the final 10 games of the season were pretty much 48 minutes of garbage time. … Should get plenty of time to show what he can do in summer league.
Contract status: Non-guaranteed, expires at end of next season.
Roster status: Murky.
Anthony Parker, 6-6, SG, 36
Notes: Forever a pro, as regular of a guy as you’ll find in the NBA. … On the court, he always played within himself. Unfortunately, he has little left to offer. … Says he doesn’t want to coach, but was a definite leader on the floor. … Knocked down occasional jumpers and held his own defensively. … Best years came in Europe, when he was a flat-out machine. … Averaged 7.2 points and 2.7 rebounds.
Contract status: Expired.
Roster status: Thank you for your service.
Samardo Samuels, 6-9, PF, 23
Notes: Big, physical, always a threat near the rim. … Maddeningly inconsistent, hasn’t really improved much since being named 2008 USA Today high school player of year. … Lacking in areas such as proper conditioning and desire to pass. … Quiet guy who works hard and has a great attitude. Both count for a lot on a team desperate for big men. … But probably not enough to make up for his struggles on defense or lack of rebounding. … Averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.
Contract status: Non-guaranteed, expires at end of next season.
Roster status: Likely to get one more shot somewhere next year. No guarantees it will come with Cavs.
Donald Sloan, 6-3, PG, 24
Notes: Did a nice job backing up Irving, and even starting when Irving was injured. … Won’t ignite the crowd with breath-taking passes and shots, but is steady and understands his role. … Makes up for lack of quickness with strength. Rarely forces a thing. … Won’t remind anyone of Jason Terry (or even Ramon Sessions) off bench, but if all goes well, all he’ll need to do is maintain the game plan for about 10-15 minutes a night. … Seems capable so far. … Averaged 5.5 points and 3.2 assists.
Contract status: Non-guaranteed, expires at end of next season.
Roster status: Has a pretty good chance to enter next year in current role.
Tristan Thompson, 6-9, PF, 21
Notes: Best low-post player to come out of last season’s draft. … Not quite as energetic toward end of season, but at least part of that may have had to do with move to center. … Has a ways to go offensively, as he’ll need to learn a move other than the two-handed slam. … That said, the two-handed slam has worked well for him. … Passionate, and makes his biggest contributions on defense. As long as that stays the same, the Cavs will be pleased. … Averaged 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.
Roster status: Along with Irving, is a lock to return.
Anderson Varejao, 6-11, PF/C, 29
Notes: We all know what he does, and he does it very well: Energy, defense, rebounding, and now, leadership. … Ball still ends up in his hands too often with the shot-clock winding down (opponents plan it that way), and he’s suddenly becoming known as “injury-prone,” because of his wild style. … Still, Cavs have no plans to attempt life without him. For all his limitations on offense, he’s still a borderline All-Star in most seasons. … Return from wrist injury is key, as his presence means another 5-10 wins. … Turns 30 in September. … Averaged 10.8 points and 11.5 rebounds in 25 games.
Contract status: Signed through 2014-15.
Roster status: Cavs won’t even listen to trade offers unless someone knocks their socks off. In Varejao’s eight years in Cleveland, no one has. He’ll be back.
Luke Walton, 6-8, SF, 32
Notes: Fantastic passer who has a great understanding of the game and championship-winning experience. … Unfortunately, he also appears to possess an ironing board for a back. … Hard to envision his role ever being more than 10-15 minutes per game again. … But teams need guys to play 10-15 minutes, so who knows. … Bottom line: Intelligent and plays hard, but body breaking down. … Averaged 2.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 21 games with Cavs.
Contract status: Signed through next season.
Roster status: Strong candidate to be traded or bought out. Return unlikely, but possible.
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